Distinct Roles, Shared Impact
UIDP has built a range of initiatives to help members turn big ideas into tangible outcomes. UI Collab, a wholly owned subsidiary, is one such initiative. UI Collab extends UIDP’s reach and impact by helping organizations apply proven approaches in their own settings.
You might hear people pronounce it “co-lab,” but it’s actually “collab,” short for collaboration. That simple clarification reflects the spirit of what we do: we help partners collaborate more effectively.
How UIDP and UI Collab Differ and Complement Each Other
The mission of UIDP has remained steady over nearly 20 years: to connect members, share best practices, and advance collaboration across sectors. UIDP does this through conferences, curated resources, and initiatives that address structural challenges and emerging opportunities in university-industry-government relationships. UIDP’s work is about empowering a community, a one-to-many approach that supports a broad membership base.
UI Collab, by contrast, focuses on the one-to-one. It extends UIDP’s impact by helping individual institutions and companies apply what they’ve learned through UIDP in practical, tailored ways. Our consultants work directly with clients to design strategies, workshops, and frameworks that fit their unique contexts.
Working Together for Greater Impact
While UIDP and UI Collab operate with distinct missions, their efforts often intersect. Roughly a third of UI Collab projects involve some level of collaboration with UIDP. For example, UI Collab might provide a consultant to co-develop the agenda and activities for a convening in the university-industry space, while UIDP handles event planning and logistics.
Sometimes the collaboration takes another form. UIDP might develop a new member resource, like Pitch Perfect, our curriculum designed to help faculty engage effectively with industry, and UI Collab delivers it directly to institutions. Members can download and use the materials themselves, but many choose to bring in UI Collab consultants to lead workshops on-site. This not only enhances delivery but also gives faculty access to one-on-one consultations with professionals who understand both academic and corporate environments.
How UI Collab Benefits UIDP Members
Some may wonder how institution-specific consulting projects translate into value for the broader UIDP membership. In fact, UI Collab’s work strengthens UIDP in three key ways:
- Reinvestment of resources. Revenue from UI Collab consulting projects is reinvested in UIDP, helping fund new member programs, research, and initiatives.
- Access to trusted expertise. Many member organizations need more tailored guidance than a single conference or committee can provide. UI Collab gives members access to seasoned consultants who already understand UIDP’s philosophy and the nuances of cross-sector collaboration.
- Informed program development. The consulting work often surfaces new needs or opportunities that inform future UIDP projects and products. Pitch Perfect, for instance, grew out of member interest in consulting services for faculty development and industry engagement support.
A Shared Mission
Ultimately, UIDP and UI Collab share a common purpose: strengthening university-industry-government partnerships and driving innovation through collaboration. UIDP serves as the community convener, while UI Collab helps turn insights into action for individual organizations. Together, they embody the full spectrum of what it means to advance productive, sustainable partnerships across sectors.
Morgan Jones-King Chief Program Officer, UIDP